Does Miguel Mendoza deserve all your hatred?

Things are looking rather grim for 17-year-old Miguel Mendoza. The past two weeks, the youngest of the four remaining finalists of Philippine Idol has been looking forlorn and defeated. Why wouldn’t he? Poor Miguel is the current object of ridicule and scorn by irate Philippine Idol fans, furious at the resiliency of the tall, relatively good-looking teenager with the sharp eyebrows and good-natured gait. Despite Mendoza’s landing in the bottom two for the first time since the contest began, the ejection of underdog Pow Chavez left fans utterly red with anger, and forums, websites, and blogs are all abuzz with how the scrappy Mendoza has managed to survive this long.

At this point in the contest, I wouldn’t be too surprised if Miguel wants out himself. Who wouldn’t, if all one received at this stage in the game was flak for one’s inferior singing prowess? If one were surrounded by three superior singers, wouldn’t one naturally feel a sense of distress? Watching Miguel perform Can You Feel the Love Tonight was a lesson in irony: of all the remaining finalists, Mendoza received the least love from the live show audience, and it showed. It was as if Miguel could not concentrate on the song, trying, bravely, instead, to fend off all the unspoken hostility and evil wishes the audience in the Megamall theater (and televisions throughout the nation) were hurling at him.

It may have come to that point that poor Miguel, shell-shocked teen singer who may not in the same league as the others, has realized that he’s way in over his head. I wonder if Miguel foresaw what would happen if he actually did make it as far as he has right now, if he anticipated how he, a pleasant 17-year-old in the prime of his youth and with an undoubtedly bright future in any career he would so choose, by his own skills (and Mommy and Daddy’s connections notwithstanding), would be viewed with so much negativity.

Miguel Mendoza:“Oo, if there are people who will still vote for me, okay lang, okay lang din hindi.”

That answer, if anything, was the answer of someone who probably looks at Philippine Idol as something to do, the latest in a variety of activities that a privileged young man can engage in, and possibly do well. However, unlike competitors Mau Marcelo and Gian Magdangal, who have attempted to build careers for themselves in this industry for the longest time, winning Philippine Idol does not seem a matter of life and death to Mendoza (nor, we can safely assume, similarly well-connected finalist Jan Nieto). Which is not to say that neither Nieto nor Mendoza deserve the title any less than Magdangal or Marcelo, but simply to say that the kind of support to which the winner of Philippine Idol is extended to ensure a long and lengthy career, seems rather wasted on someone whose reaction to having arrived this far is, “okay lang.”

On a night when Chavez’s reaction to her having reached this far is a case study in gratitude for having been accepted by a public that has largely resisted opening up to lesbian Filipina musicians, Mendoza’s answer seems apathetic and cold, a slap in the faces of all people who have voted for him. It may seem the reaction of a teenager who is not fully aware of how privileged he is to have gotten this far, in the way having ‘robbed’ similarly talented individuals who will not be able to enjoy the opportunities that come with being Philippine Idol.

Miguel Mendoza does not deserve to be hated. He’s a nice kid with a good voice. Sure, he may not be as good as the others, but that doesn’t mean he deserves to be cussed at, mocked, and insulted. What is his crime?

If anything, I’d rather offer up this piece of advice to Mendoza or his handlers, if ever they find their way into this blog, and should Miguel win the title: Miguel, you have just been given a tremendous opportunity and blessing. Don’t treat the Philippine Idol title as just another notch in your belt, or another fling to do on the side. People voted for you, and they expect you to live up to their expectations. If you do become Philippine Idol, I suggest you run with it, take it very seriously, and build for yourself a long and lasting career. It is an insult to you, to your fellow finalists, to your fans, and to the Idol franchise, for you to not put 100% into this. You got yourself into it, so live up to it, kid. You’re very, very blessed.

—————-

On a different note: at the end of the day, Mendoza’s Achilles’ heel is the constant accusation of vote-buying. Should Mendoza win and the suspicions of many are confirmed by lackluster sales of Mendoza’s debut album, I would point my finger at Francis Magalona, whose steadfast insistence in seeing Mendoza through to the Final 24, for unleashing this travesty. Last night, he defended his choice, saying, and I paraphrase, ‘talent can be trained, but looks can’t, and [Miguel has the looks]. You can sell albums.’

Isn’t the entire point of Philippine Idol to find someone who does not need training, whose natural talent is supposed to shine through? Mendoza does have talent, but by Magalona’s acknowledging he needs training, he pretty much admitted that he let someone with less talent than others through. Is the Philippines so bereft (oh, there’s Ryan C’s word!) of talented individuals that the judges let through singers who still need training??

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Hi! Welcome to the travel blog of James Michael Deen, or Ganns, to friends and family. Please feel free to look around, or visit www.gannsdeen.com to read about how awesome God is.

24 comments

I’m not a fan of Miguel’s, but your entry was very good. In the event of a Jan-Miguel finale — which isn’t far-fetched — I would choose Miguel over Jan anytime.
Still, I’m hoping for a Gian-Mau finale, with Gian winning of course. But that’s just the fangirl in me talking.

I think the hatred (well from my point of view anyway) is directed towards the voting bloc/vote buying that’s been happening. I am pretty sure he is a nice guy (?) but is he better than any of the contestants? Except for the Sandra song, of course he isn’t. If he indeed wins (gasp!) the record sales will prove or disprove the claims. The loser, if indeed the votes were bought by just his well-off relatives, are the fans. Nice analysis by the way. 🙂

I used to like Miguel when I first saw him sing live at the Top 12 Male Finalist. Over time, Miguel didn’t seem to improve. His performance was boring and stiff though his vocal ability is there. Yes, Miguel is a nice guy and well supported by his family. Most of the ire of Idol fans are (like Jher mentioned) due to the well-oiled voting bloc and not directly at Miguel.

Hi Jher and Noemi: I completely agree with you that Miguel isn’t necessarily better, and it is precisely because some people choose to target their anger at Miguel and not that voting bloc and the lack of justice that it represents, that I write this particular blog entry.
Thank you both for passing by. 🙂

ganns you have a very good well thought article. but i think the hatred for miguel if indeed there is really, is not focused at himentirely but to the alleged well-oiled machinery supporting him.

i accept that miguel has fans, too. there were several people in the balcony last Sunday who were shouting Go Go Miguel. I wanted to add goHOME but decency and a friend prevented me from doing so. Some people have seen something in him that’s why they have voted for him. But I can argue that Pow has a bigger number of fans.

Miguel should make us feel that he deserves to be there. But I don’t see passion when he sings. A number of contestants in Pinoy Pop Superstar who are much younger than him can beat him in a passion filled performance. You may be right that his heart is not yet as focused in a singing career as the other three remaining finalists.

miguel indeed can carry a tune. he’s waay better than those who auditioned (and got eliminated) in the theater eliminations. but what is frustrating for me is that no matter how long he stays in the competition, it seems that nervousness (or stress) gets in the way of his singing. i really liked the time when he sang a song on the piano, it was the best one for me and that i night i wished he won’t be eliminated. and he wasn’t (well, until now. *wink*)

i just hope he takes extra measures in improving, vocally and emotionally, because i know there are many people who believe in his talent. 😀

basta! walang karapatan si miguel na maging american idol. more so, to stay in the competition. the only reason why he is still is in is because of the votes. by the way, are filipinos really that bobo when it comes to choosing good candidates? be it in politics or in talent searches? i hope not! m just wondering kung magkano na ang nagagastos ni miguel (or his family) just to stay in philippine idol.

Hi Sir Ganns..
This is Miguel Mendoza. I’m extending my appreciation too you on how you justified everything being thrown to me by numerous idol viewers. It is just now that I saw this blog entry. Before when I was still in Idol, I never like browsing through these things. It only broke my heart not seeing people appreciating not even a little what I’m trying to prove. Admittedly I can say that I wasn’t as good as anyone in the competition (even from the auditions). As Mr. C said, maybe its because I was the most inexperienced. Don’t worry. I am trying to prove myself again to everyone. Now that I’m 2 years older from how I was before, I think my vocal muscles have aged with me as well. I just really want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for this very touching article.
Thank you so much…

Hello, Miguel! This is indeed a surprise. How have you been? It’s been almost two years since Philippine Idol; are you still trying to pursue a career in the industry? (I think I saw some collaterals for events where you were an invited guest, but that’s the extent of the exposure I’ve read about you.)

I don’t think I deserve to be thanked for my blog entry; I was trying to be as fair to you as I could be in my piece, and I may have said some things that can be potentially hurtful to you (and in hindsight, I apologize).

Like I said, you’re a good kid – well, man now. 😉 I have no doubt you’ve a bright future ahead in any career you choose. A lot of people don’t have the opportunities afforded you, so you are in a great position to be used by God to make a significant difference in their lives. I encourage you to steel your stomach, take a deep breath, and plunge into it. You know there will always be people – your parents, your friends, heck, even me – rooting for the good guy to win.

“Philippians 2:13. “It is God who works in you both to desire and to work for His good purpose.” God has a plan for you, He’s popped that desire in your heart, and He’s going to see it through to fruition. Congratulations, Miguel. 🙂

after two years, i found this article regarding Miguel. I am surprised as well that he left a comment, like what he said, he really don’t browse stuff like this because it causes heartaches and pain.But now, that he is in PDA, more people are saying negative things bout him. They don’t see his effort and worst, they don’t see his improvement. after phil idol, miguel went to college as you all know, but he never gave up his first love which is singing. he went through a lot of training. i hope you still support him, or even be fair to him. i know you are a good man as well, and like miguel, i thank you as well.

i know miguel since he was little, as in little. 🙂 i am not going to tell na lang how i am related to him coz people also judge me.

oh, probably you heard the gay issue, this is what i can say. isn’t that in showbiz, all good looking guys are gay? hahahah sad reality, but filipino people stereotype these good looking men.

I haven’t really seen Miguel performed in PI but I like the way you presented your ideas. As what Ley said, now that Miguel is in PDA, he gets more negative comments from viewers, from being a “gay lover” to a “repeater” that would certainly hurt him again when he reunites the outside world.

I like Miguel since PDA started mainly because of his personality. Every gala night, I cross my fingers that he wouldn’t be part of the bottom four. And though he has improved a lot for the last three weeks, the jurors think others are far better than him. Of course, I respect their decision and somehow I agree with them. To be objective, I think something’s lacking when he performs on stage. He has the voice, he has the looks, he has the training but something is just lacking. And I think he has to figure it out.